may in reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may in reality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something might actually be true or exist, despite appearances or assumptions. Example: "The situation may in reality be more complex than we initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Their current campaign may in reality be little more than a midsummer media prank, designed to capture the headlines in a thin news period.

The Guardian - Opinion

The overall mean AVN rate for this technique is hence derived from the two remaining studies and therefore the actual AVN rate for this procedure may in reality be lower than 3.3%.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

For example, situations of apparent efficiency may in reality be a failure to provide the necessary care to certain groups of patients resulting from lack of accessibility or poor clinical practice.

BMJ Open

Therefore, while we consider direct effects of Tin2 on lignification to be the simplest model to explain the reduced virulence on the tin2 mutant strain, the situation may in reality be much more complex.

eLife

In the case of tests for non-falciparum only, the performance may in reality be affected by the prevalence of P. falciparum parasitaemia; this effect is not possible to estimate with any accuracy, however it is likely to be small, and has therefore been ignored.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

He may in reality be the angel of life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"There are a lot of perceived barriers [to healthy eating] which may not in reality be that huge.

The Guardian

In the absence of any empirical measure, this is therefore a valid interpretation (however flawed it may be in reality).

The Guardian

As accounting firms have grown bigger and fewer, many apparent conflicts of interest may not, in reality, threaten the integrity of an audit.

The Economist

I think people are making a bigger deal out of this than it may be in reality".

Forbes

Therefore, some of the miRNAs mapping close to a fragile site may be in reality megabase pairs away.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may in reality" to introduce a surprising or contrasting perspective that challenges the initial perception of a situation. It can add depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

While "may in reality" is useful, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "might actually be" or "could in fact be".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may in reality" functions as a modal adjunct, modifying a statement to indicate a degree of uncertainty or possibility regarding the true state of affairs. It often introduces a contrast to an initial assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may in reality" is a versatile modal adjunct that adds depth to writing by introducing alternative perspectives and possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Appearing frequently in both news and scientific contexts, it serves to challenge initial assumptions and encourage deeper analysis. When using "may in reality", remember to use it sparingly to maintain impact and to consider synonymous phrases such as "might actually be" or "could in fact be" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might actually be

Replaces "may" with "might" and "in reality" with "actually be", slightly softening the tone.

could in fact be

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "in reality" with "in fact be", suggesting a possibility that something is true.

might turn out to be

Replaces "may in reality" with "might turn out to be", implying a discovery or a revelation over time.

could potentially be

Replaces "may in reality" with "could potentially be", focusing on the potential aspect of the situation.

may prove to be

Replaces "in reality" with "prove to be", which suggests a future confirmation of the possibility.

might in truth be

Replaces "actually" with "in truth", adding a stronger emphasis on the real situation.

could conceivably be

Emphasizes that something is imaginable or believable, though perhaps unlikely.

might just be

Implies a sense of surprise or unexpectedness regarding the true state of affairs.

may well be

Indicates a strong likelihood or probability.

could ultimately be

Focuses on the final outcome or result.

FAQs

How can I use "may in reality" in a sentence?

Use "may in reality" to introduce a different perspective or a surprising truth that contrasts with an initial assumption. For example, "What appears to be a simple solution "may in reality" be quite complex".

What phrases are similar to "may in reality"?

Alternatives include "might actually be", "could in fact be", or "might turn out to be". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "may in reality" or "is in reality"?

"May in reality" suggests a possibility or uncertainty about the true state, while "is in reality" asserts a definitive truth. Use "may" when there's a degree of doubt or a need for caution.

What's the difference between "may in reality" and "actually"?

"Actually" directly emphasizes what is true, whereas "may in reality" introduces a possibility or a perspective that contrasts with an initial assumption. "The problem, "may in reality", be due to a coding error" suggests it's a possibility; "The problem is actually due to a coding error" states it as a fact.